Folding-machine.



W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2|, I91 1.

Patented Feb.18,1919.

w haw EN W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

FOLDING MACHiNE.

APPLICAHUN FILED JUNEZI. 191

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

FOLDING MACHiNE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2:.1911.

Pai'en'ted Feb. 18, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. F. LAUI ENSCHLAGEH.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21. 19:1

iahanhwi Feb. lh 1919.

' SHELL; SHEEI l.

QM Q R W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2|. 1911.

MNN

WWW NEW TES PAT WILL 1AM 1E. LA'U'IENSCHLAGER, F CINCINNATI, OHIO,ASSIGNOR T0 L0 .11 NZ MUTE,

' 0F NEWTON, SSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING-MACHINE.

rename.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. LAUTEN- scHLAcER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Ham lton and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foldingpartsupon which my improved device may bill be employed.

The objects of my invention are to provide new and improved meanswhereby the edge of a piece of material is folded; further to providenew and improved means whereby the edge of the leather operated on isprovided with incisions of less length at the flesh side than at thegrain side thereof; further to provide a new and improved feedingmovement for the feeding foot; further to provide new and improvedoperativerelations between the parts mentioned; further to so arrangethe machine that either the cutting or folding means may be renderedinactive; further to rovide new and improved means for guidmg a piece ofmaterial in being fed through the machine whereby especially the foldingmay take place accurately on arcs of short radii; further to provide newand improved means for controlling the lengths of the steps of feed;further to provide means whereby the lengths of steps of feed may bechanged during operation; and, further to provide'new and improved meanswhereby the feeding-foot and presser-foot movements are correlated. litis the object of my invention further to provide means adapted forfolding the edges of Vamps, comprising an arm projecting outwardly fromthe frame of the machine over which arm the vamp may be arranged to movein the folding operation, said arm supporting feeding, folding, foldpressing and snipping instrumentalities and operating connections forthe said feeding, fold pressing and snipping instrumentalities, theoperating connections having connection with the driving means locatedin the frame of the i ii Specification of Letters Patent. Applicationfiled I we 21, 1911. Serial No. odd/M5.

Fatente Feb. limit.

machine; to provide new and im roved driving means for the feeding-footw ereby great speed of feed may be obtained. The invention will befurther readily understood from the following description and claims,and from the drawings,'in which latter:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved device partly broken awayfor better illustration of parts.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same partly broken away for betterillustration of parts.

Fig. 3 is a front-end elevation of my improved device.

' 4c is a rear-end elevation of the same. F1g. 5 1s a plan view of myimproved dev1ce partly broken away.

Flg. 6 is an end elevation of the eccentric and link mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail showing the adjustment for the knlfe-block invertical section on the line 77 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 8 is a detail in vertical section on the irregular line 8-8 of Fig.1.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 9-3 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the fold-presser and knife-lever connectionswith the exposure-plate removed;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged front elevation illustrating the relations of thefeeding-foot, presser-foot,- hold-down, 1 knife, folder and old-presser.

Fig. 12 .is a perspective view of the material operated on showing theoperative effects thereon of the machme, and

Fig. 13 is a cross-section of the folded material.

21 represents the main frame, which is shown hinged, as by hinges 22, toa base 28, to which it is suitably secured,,as by a clamp 24. The baseforms part of the main frame and is arranged to rest upon or be securedto an ordinary work bench or table in ordinary manner. The base maycomprise a trough 25 received under the operativ parts of the mechanismand acting as a protectin -plate as well as a drip-trough for the oilreceived from the mechanism. The main frame may be swung on the hingesfor exposure of the operating parts under the main table 26. Aprons 27may depend from the table to lines adjacent to the trough, the ends ofwhich may be connected by a clos ing plate 28 rem-ovably held in placeby tit) screws 29. The table 26 with the aprons and protecting plateextend laterally as an arm projecting outwardly from the vertical orupright wall of the column portion of the main frame of the machine. Itwill be observed that this arm is comparatively small in cross-section.1

31 is a drive-shaft operated in suitable manner, as by a pulley 32. Thedrive-shaft is journaled in suitable bearings 33 of the main frame andit, together with the operating parts of the mechanism, preferably moveWith said main frame when the same is tilted on the base.

34 and 35 are rock-shafts journaled respectively in bearings 36, 37 of agoose-neck bracket 38 over hanging the table. The

rock-shaft 34 is arranged to oscillate the,

feeding-foot, while the rock-shaft 35 is arranged to raise and lower thepresser-foot, and to raise and lower the-feeding-foot during theoscillations of said feeding-foot. These longitudinal reciprocatingmovements of the feeding-foot take place preferably adjacent to thelimits of oscillating movement thereof, during the retracting movementsof the feeding-foot, whereby extremely rapid operation of thefeeding-foot is obtained, for the reason that one of said motionsqualifies the other in manner to qualify its direction of movementwithout. acting counter thereto. I

39 is a feeding-foot housing secured to the rock-shaft 34as by aclamp-bearing 40. It has in it a bearing 41 in which the stem 42 of thefeeding-foot is arranged to be moved longitudinally, a feeding-foot 43being on the stem. The stemis normally urged ,to

ward the table by a spring 44 between the feeding-foot housing and thestem, shown received over a screw 45 on said housing and a screw 46 on aclamp 47 on the stem, the clamp having apin 48 extending there from, andbeing adjustable on the stem. There is a washer 49 between the clamp andthe bearing end which acts as a cushion to receive the thrust ofdownward movement of the stem. This washer is preferably a fiber-washerof eleetro-insulating fiber, being a hard substance which acts as asounddeadening cushion.

51 is a presser-foot which acts adjacent to the feeding-foot, thefeeding-foot preferably acting between the presser-foot and the knifeand folder hereinafter mentioned. The presserfoot and feeding footpreferably operate opposite the periphery of a roller 52, which ispreferably a raw-hide rollermade of a plurality of raw-hide washerssecured together as by gluing, received about" a central thimble 53journaled on a screw-stud 54. The roller serves to support the materialwhich is pressed thereagainst by the presser-foot and feeding-foot. Thematerial of which the roller is composed and its cylindrical-contactface serve to prevent the adhesion of the material being operated on andis especially advantageous when operating on such materials as patentleathers Which have an especial tendency to adhere to metal surfaces.

The presser foot ver 56. The presser-foot is normally pressed toward thetable by a spring 57 shown locatedbetween a socket-bolt 58 and thelever, the socket-bolt being adjustable in a threaded bearing 59 andheld in place by a lock-nut 60. For raising the presser-foot therock-shaft 35 is provided with a rockerpart 61 having a contact-lug 62thereon arranged to act against a spring 63 for resiliently raising thepresser foot. The rocker-part 61 is shown as having a clampbearing 64about the rock-shaft 35 by means of which it may be adjustablypositioned about said rock-shaft. The spring 63 is a coiled spring ofcomparatively great resistance and having slight extent of compression,and the contact-lug 62 and the presserfoot lever acts as a cushionbetween for receiving the initial impact of said contactlug, and acts asa rigid stem when said slight extent of compression is taken up. It isre ceived in a socket-bolt 65 adjustable in a threaded-bearing 66 of thepresser-foot lever and held in place by a jam-nut 67.

71 is a. raiser-link for the feedingfoot stem. It is articulated withthe arm 72 of the rocker-part 61 at 73 and has a pocket 74 for receivingthe pin 48. The movement of the rocker-part 61 is idle with relation tothe feeding-foot for part of its range, during which idle relation thefeeding-foot is rocked by the rock-shaft 34 in its forward orfeedmovement. During this movement the feeding-foot is moved in an aredescribed from the oscillating axis of the rock-shaft 34, thepresser-foot during this feeding movement being in raised position.During the latter portion of this feeding movement,

the raiser-link moves idle upwardly with re lation to the feeding-footor device accomplished by the space 75 between the bottom of its pocket74 and the pin 48, during which movement also the presser foot descendsupon the material, the contact-lug 62 receding sufficiently preferablyfor being spaced from the end-contact member or spring 63 when thefeeding-foot is in raised relation. At about the point that thefeeding-foot under which term I include any other feedin device, hasreturn oscillation imparted to it, the raiser-link 71 contacts the pin48 for complementing the oscillating movement of the feeding-foot ordevice with a raising movement thereof. This raising movement and thecorresponding descending movement take place during the returnoscillation of the feeding-foot or device.

The movement of the feeding-foot is acis on a presser foot leraaaaracomplished therefore by an oscillating movement thereof complemented bya'longitudinal reciprocating movement taklng place during theoscillation of the same, for qua1ifying that oscillating movement bysupplemental movements dlrected in lines substan tially parallel withthe longitudinal projection of the feeding-foot stem, irrespective ofthe oscillatory position of said stem. It will be noted from Figs. 3 and6 that the pivotal axis of the raiser link 71 is substantiallycoincident with the rocking axis of the rockshaft 34 and substantiallyintersects the 1ongitudinal axis of the feeding-foot stem.

81 is a folder shown as comprising a bar 82 having a folding-throat 83and preferably slidable toward and from the presserfoot in a guide-way 810f a guide-block 85, removably secured to an exposure-plate 86 by ascrew 87.' The exposure late forms a part of the table 26. It is hel 1noperatlve position by a pin 88 arranged to enter an aperture 89 on theguide-block when 1n operative osition and an aperture 90 on sa dguide-block when in inactive relation. This pin is preferably on asprung-plate 91 which has adjustable connection with the bar 82 by beingprovided with a slot 92 through wh1ch a fastening screw 93 is arrangedto be received into the bar 82. The. ad ustment of the spring-plate 91with relation to the bar adjusts the relation of the foldlng-throat 83to the feeding-foot for accommodating, for instance, leathers ofdifferent th cknesses, or providing more or less abrupt folds.

The feeding-foot has a nose 96 arranged to be received past the forwardwall of the folding-throat, that is, the wall nearest the operator, (seeFig. 9), adjacent to the table whereby on proper adjustment of thefolder, a crease indicated at 97 is formed in the material, shown at 98,thereby aiding in determining the exact line of the fold along which thematerial is definitely bent by the foldpresser 99. I

This fold-presser is on a lever 101 plvoted about a rod 102 secured inbearings 103 in the outer end of the outwardly projecting arm of theframe. Its pivot is in a vertical plane to the side of the folding-jawof the fold-presser, whereby the jaw is moved toward the material with amotion which is downward and approaching with relation to the materialfor laying the material over in its proper fold for completing the foldand pressing the folded edge.

The fold pressing member is located in the outer end of the outwardlyprojecting arm, the pressing jaw thereof projecting upwardly through thematerial supporting table while the same is mounted and its operatingparts are located in the outer end of said arm, connections foroperating the same being also located in said outer end of saidoutwardly projecting arm and connecting with the operating parts whichextend from the column of the frame.

The nearer this pressing of the fold approaches a semblance tohand-pressing such as would be accomplished by the pressure of thefinger upon the fold, the more accurate it will bean the less dangerwill there be of ln ury to the material. The means I employ operate inthis manner for efl'ecting the laying down of the fold with pressurerather than with a blow, and T aid in accomplishing thls by operatingthe fold-presser from a polnt closely adjacent to its pivot whereby Iavoid detrimental inertia of motion of parts andtthe detrimental resultsof lost motion of par 5.

107 is a presser-housing pivoted on bearings 108 about the rod 102 andhaving a tall 109 provided with a recess 110 in which the tail 111 ofthe fold-presser is located, preferably adjustably and resilently. Forproviding the adjustment, the tail of the presser is provided with anadjusting screw 112 received against a wall 113 of the recess and heldin place by a jam-nut'114c. The resilience of the presser isaccomplished by a spring 115 acting to force the adjusting screw 112against the wall 113 and received in a socket 116 on the tail 111 and asocket 117 of an adjusting screw 118 having a threaded bearing 119 inthe wall 120 of the recess 110. This adjusting screw is provided with abore 121. The adjusting screw 112, the spring 115 and the adjustingscrew 118 provided with its bore 121 are arranged in axial alinement sothat a screw-driver may be received through said bore and spring foradjusting the adjusting screw 112. This arrangement of partsaccomplishes the further purpose that the pressure of the spring isexerted in axial line with the contact point of the adjusting screw 112upon the presser-housing so that the pivotal bearing of thepresser-housing and presser-lever may be relieved from the strain of thespring. The operating parts just described are located in the outer endof the outwardly projecting material-supporting arm.

F or oscillating the presser-housing provide it with a lug 126 which hasoperative connection with the drive-shaft 31 closely adjacent to thepivotal axis of said housing. Thus I provide the lug with a bearing 127about a bearing-pin 128 which has connection with the drive-shaft by auniversal joint connection comprising the links 129, 130 and 131, thelinks 129 and 130 being connected by a bearing-pin 132, and the links130 and 131 by a bearing-pin 133, the link 131 having a bearing 134about a stud 135 eccentrically placed on the drive-shaft.

arm. By this means close driven articulations are formed between thedrive-shaft and the Presser-housing, the pivotal axes of which are inclosely adjacent planes in the outer end of said outwardly projectingarm.

141 is a knife-lever which has a bearing 142 about the rod 102 and hasdrive connection in said outer end of said outwardly projecting arm fromthe universal joint connecting with the drive-shaft, as by beingprovided with a lug 143 which has a link 144 articulated therewith at145, the link having a bearin 146 about the bearing-pin 128, preferablyabout an eccentric 147 thereon for the purpose to be presentlydescribed, s aid lug, links, bearing-pin and eccentric being located insaid outer end of said outwardly projecting arm. The knife-lever has alateral extension 148 received above the folder-bar 82 and is arrangedto have a knife 149 adjustably secured thereto for locating the knifeclosely adjacent to and in front of said folder-bar. The knife isadjustable, as by being provided with a slot- 150 through which a screw151 is received into the knife-lever. The knifelever is mounted and hasoperative connection within said outer end of said outwardly projectingarm, the said knife-lever extending upwardly through thematerial-supporting table of said outer end, the connecting means foroperating said knife-lever being also located Within said outwardlyprojecting arm and connecting with the operating devices mounted in thecolumn of the machine.

The knife has a lateral cutting edge 152 and a bottom cutting edge 153extending at acute angles with relation to each other for formingpreferably an entering point 154 for the Knife. The knife-lever ispivoted in a vertical plane to the side of the said cutting edge and itswings about said pivotal axis --w1th a motion which, in the form showncauses the entering point 154 to first enter the material to be cut. Thelateralcutting edge 152 is shown as extending upwardly and laterallyaway from the feeding-line. The movement of the knife causes the cuttinedges to move toward the feeding-foot an into the material in a lateraland downward direction foraccomplishing the cutting with a shearing cutand causing an incision which is of greater length at the bottom than atthe top face of the material.

This bottom face in practice,'when leather is used. as the material, isthe grain side of the leather and the top face is the flesh side of theleather. The fleshside of the leather is the side that imparts strengthto the leather, the grain side being the finished side. In my improveddevice therefore I retain the strength or body of the leather, so thatwhen the folding has taken place the fold will be made in-an uncut fleshportion secured to the rock-shaft of the leather, as clearly shown inFigs. 12 and 13. The cutting being further accomplished with a shearingout, can be done witlh a clean out without slivering the materia In somecharacters of work and in selective portions of other work the foldingmay be done without the necessity of slitting the material and forenabling this to be done during operation of the machine, the bearing146 for the link of the cutter-lever is received about the eccentric 147which is on the bearing-pin 128. This pin is a rockerpin and has an arm157 secured thereto which connects with a link 158 by an articulation159. 160 is a rock-shaft journaled in bearings 161 of the main frame andhas an arm 162 thereon with which the link 158 is articulated at 163. Anoperating arm 164 is 160 and has connection'with a suitable pull-rod 165leadin for instance, to a treadle or other suitabi device by which theeccentric 147 may be turned for maintaining the knife in raisedposition. The rock-shaft 160 is normally retracted by a spring 166. Forlimiting the movements of the rock-shaft the arm 164 is provided with arecess 167 in which a pin 168 secured in one of the bearings 161 isreceived, the walls of the recess striking the pin and limiting theextent of rocking of the rock-shaft 160.

171 is a gage for the material having a guiding-face 172 and is securedto the removable exposure-plate 86 by a screw 174 received through aslot 175 in the gage for adjustably positionin the gage with relation tothe knife and fo der parts. It also preferably has on it, for beingadjustable therewith, a hold-down spring 176 secured thereto by a screw178 and received in a slot 177 In the gage for laterally positioningthe.

same.

The removable exposure-plate is received over the rod 102 and partsmounted thereon and the universal joint connections, so that uponremoval of the plate the said arts may be exposed, The plate is'removaby held in place by a screw 179.

181 is a stationary block with relation to which the knife 149 acts forslitting the material. This block is adjustable toward and i from themovable knife by having a clampscrew 182 received therein through a slot183 in the main frame.

The resser-foot is pivoted on rock-shaft 191 journaled in a bearing 192of the main frame. In order to control its approach toward the table orthe material-supporting roller mounted therein, I provide said rockshaftwith an arm 193 preferably mounted on a clamp 194 arranged to be clampedabout the roc axially with relation thereto, there being a cushion-block195 between the main frame -shaft for positioning the arm.

aaeaam and said arm, shown received in a socket 196 of said arm, saidcushion being preferably a block of'electro-insulating fiber, and isarranged to relieve the impacts of the presserfoot lever. The arm 193 ispreferably so adjusted that when the resser-foot is in down position itwill be coated slightly raised from the roller, the feeding-foot beingpreferably correspondingly adjusted so that when the machine runs idlethe said feet will be out of contact with said roller, but be locatedsufiiciently close thereto, however, to feed the material which may beplaced thereunder.

][n my improved device the material may be fed through the machine andbe provided with incisions and be folded and the folds pressed, or ifdesired the material may be folded without being slit, as by renderingthe knife inactive, or the material may be out without being folded, asby rendering the folder inactive by placing it in inoperative position,in which latter case the fold-presser while going through its motionswill have no pressing action on the material for the reason that thelatter is unfolded and therefore too thin for the presser to havepressing edect thereon.

The means provided for operating the feeding-foot and presser-footenable these parts to be operated with great rapidity and for furtheraiding in great rapidity of operation of the machine and for permittingadjustment of the lengths of steps of feed during operation I providethe following instrumentalities 201 is a rock-shaft journaled in ahearing 202 of the main frame. llts rocking axis is preferably in ofisetrelation to the rocking axis of the rockshaft 3 1. It has an arm 203fast thereon, as by means of a clamp-bearing} 204, the arm beingarticulated at 205 ith a link 206 having a bearing 207 thereon about aneccentric 209 on the drive-shaft. Rock-shaft 201 also has an arm 211fast thereon, as by a clamp-bearing 212. Rock-shaft 34 has an arm 213fast thereon, as by a clamp-bearing 214. 215 and 216 are a pair oflinks, one of which is articulated on a pin 217 with the arm 211 and theother of which is articulated by a pin 218 with the arm 213, a pin 219having connection with the outer ends of said links 215 and 216 forpivotally connecting said outer ends. The links 215, 216, constitute acompression-member and a tension-member at each movement of thelinks,the link 216 being the compression-member and the link 215 thetension-member in the present exemplification while the feeding-foot isbeing moved in its feeding movement, the link 216 being thetension-member and the link 215 the compression-member while thefeeding-foot is being moved in its retracting movement. Said links arearranged cident.

substantially parallel with each other, sidev by side, with the pivotalaxes at the respectwo ends of said links substantially coinshaft 34 andconsequently, there is no feeding movement imparted to the feeding-foot.If however the pin 219 is placed out of axial line with the rock-shaft201 there will be oscillation imparted to the pin 219 through the arm211 and .link 216, the extent of oscillation depending on the distanceof removal of the axis of the pin 219 from the axis of the rock-shaft201, in other words, upon the angular distance between the arm 211 andthe link 216, with consequent rocking of the rock-shaft 34 through themedium of the link 215 and the arm 213, thereby determining the extentof oscillating movement of the feedingfoot and the lengths of steps ofthe feed imparted thereby. The forward limit of movement of thefeeding-foot however remains the same irrespective of adjustment oflength of feeding'stroke of the feeding-foot, the adjust-- mentafi'ecting the retracting limits of said feeding-foot only. The feedingstrokes therefore end in similar relations to the knife, folder andpresser irrespective of the lengths of feeding'strokes for alwaysplacing the material in definite relations to these parts. The lengthsof feeding strokes may also be adjusted during operation.

The relations of the parts shown in the drawings are at an intermediateortion of a stroke of the feeding-foot. See Figs. 3 and 4.) "When theparts are positioned so that the feeding movement is m'Z, then the axesof the rock-shaft 201 and the pin 219 are coincident, and the axes ofthe pins 217 and 218 are also coincident.

If it is desired to have a feeding movement, the axis of pin 219 ismoved out of coincidence with the axis of the rock-shaft 201, e. 9., asshown in Figs. 3 and 4, with the result that, upon operation of themachine, there is a movement imparted to the pin 218 due to the angularrelation of the axes 201, 217 and 219. At the beginning of this movementthe feeding-foot is at its forward limit of movement.

1 The beginning of this movement is coincident with the positioning ofthe high point of the eccentric 209 in extreme upper position, and thecompletion of this movement and consequent return of the feeding-foot toinitial position is coincident with the return, at the end of itsrevolution, of said high point of said eccentric to said uppermostposition. When said eccentric is in said uppermost position the feedng-foot is, as stated, at its extreme forward limit of movement; that isto say, at its position adjacent tothe folder and fold-presser, andthisposition is the same, irrespective of the. an lar relations of the axes201, 217 and 219, the axis of the pin 218 being coincident with j theaxis of pin 217, when the parts are at such limits of their movements.Consequently, the forward limit of movement of the feeding-footwillalways .be the same, irrespective of the length of feeding strokeimparted by the angular relationsof the parts stated. g y

For positioning the outer ends of the l1nks' 215 and 216 with relationto the rock-shaft 201, the pin 219 has articulation with a link 221which in turnhas articulation at 222 with one arm of a lever 223 havin abearing 224 about the rock-shaft35. he other arm of the lever hasconnection with a rod 225 leading to' a suitable treadle orotheroperating device, for. swinging. the lever 223, a spring 22 lever.

227 and 228 are a pair of stops adjustable lengthwise of a uide 229.These stops may be placed accor in to the limits of movement desired in-t e feeding-foot, one of the stops determining the minimum of lengthsof feeding movement and the other 80 the maximum of said lengths. Thusthelever may be normally forced against the stop 227 by the spring 226,which may represent the minimum lengths of feeding movement. If it isdesired toincrease the length of steps the lever may be moved toward theother stop. Theselengths are limited by the position of said other stop,the positions of both stops, however, being preferably adjustable. 231is an arm fast on the rock-shaft 35, as by a clamp-bearing 232, and 233is alink havlng articulation with the arm at 234. This link has abearing 235 about an eccentric 236 on the drive-shaft. By these meansthe rock-shaft is rocked, thereby accomplishing the reciprocatingmovements of the feeding-foot 43 and the movements of the Presser-foot51 hereinb'efore described in connection with the description of said jparts and of the raiser-link 71 for the feed- 1n -foot stem 42.

he high points of the eccentrics 209 and 236 are placed at such angulardistance apart on the drive-shaftBl as-to cause the proper timing of themovement of the feeding-foot and Presser-foot hereinbefore described. r,j

The knife, age and, hold-down spring are closely a jacent to each other,and closely adjacent to the folder, the feedingfoot operating closelyadjacent to the curved or folding face of the folder, between saidlatter face and the presser-foot, which latter is closely adjacent tothe feeding-foot. The I parts are placed" in such manner as to peres mitthe movement of the material in arcs,

6 normally retracting said straight lines.

'Jacent to their pivotal points for avoiding 7 axis is substantiallycoincident with theoshavin short radii for permitting-material to'beolded along such arcs and in any other curves that ma be desired andalso in or aiding in the curved movement of the material, the rear ofthe throat of the foldresser is recessed as shown at 238.

My improved' device is simple and compact in its construction, all ofthe arts which operate upon the material eing placed inclosel'y adjacentrelations, and the means for operating said parts are such thatexcessive jarring is avoided, and the ower applications of pivoted partsare close y adthe detrimental effects and abnormal 'ar- 'rings'due toinertia of motion and for re ucing the inertia. My improved constructionpermits a large output to be obtained, and very rapid operation of theparts.

Havin thus fully described my invention, what I c aim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a. foldin' machine, an oscillatory feeding-foot housing, afeeding-foot having .a stem guided by and reciprocating lengthwise ofsaid housing and means for reciprocating said stem comprising arocker-arm and a link having a pivotal connection whose cillatory axisof said housing during part of the movementof said connection.

2. In a folding machine, an oscillatory feeding-foot housing, afeeding-foot comprising a stem, guiding means between said feeding-foothousing and stem, and means for reciprocatin said feeding-foot stemlengthwise of said guiding means comprising a rocker-arm and link, theoscillatory axis of said housing when extended substantiallyintersecting the longitudinal axis of said feeding-foot stem at a pointbetween the ends of. said guiding means and distanced from said ends,and said link moving in lines substantially parallel to saidlongitudinal axis.

3. In a folding machine, an oscillatory feeding-foot housing, afeeding-foot, guiding means between said housin and feeding-foot, and arocker-arm and link having 116 connection with said feeding-foot forreciprocating the same lengthwise of said guiding means, the connectionsbetween said rocker arm and feeding foo-t embracing a spaced connectionfor causing idle move- 120 ment of said rocker-arm with relation to Isaid feeding-foot durin portions of the oscillatory movements 0 saidfeeding-foot,

and resilient means for retracting said feeding-foot with relation tosaid housing.

4. In a folding machine, an oscillatory feeding-foot housing comprisinga guideway, a feedingfoot comprising a stem guided by said guideway, arocker-arm,and a link having operative/ connections with 180 neeaeiesaid arm and said feeding-foot stem for retlb bil

ciprocating said feeding-foot, the axis of oscillation of saidfeeding-foot housing and the axes ofsaid operative connections, whensaid axes are extended, substantially intersecting the longitudinal axisof'said feeding-foot stem, and said axis of oscillation of saidfeeding-foot housing, when extended,

being between and distanced substantially from both ends of saidfeeding-foot stem.

5. In a folding machine, the combination of a housing having a recesstherein pro vided with an upwardly opening mouth, a

spring when longitudinally rigid.

rock-shaft therefor secured thereto at one side of said recess, afeeding-foot having guided by said housing at the other side of saidrecess, and means for. reciprocating said tending upwardly through saidupwardly opening mouth.

' longitudinal reciprocation lengthwise of and feeding-foot received insaid recess and ex- 11. In a folding machine, the combination of aresser-foot, a rock-shaft having a con-- tact-part thereon forreciprocating the same, and a coiled, compression spring between saidresser-foot and rock-shaft whose compression is slight inextent :andwhich bebomes longitudinally rigid when said com pression has takenplace, said spring being shorter than the longest distance of separationin line therewith between said contactpart and Presser-foot forproviding a space etween said spring and one of said lastnamed partsduring part of the rocking longitudinally reciprocating said feedingfoot during other portions of their movements, and resilient means fornormally depressing said foot with relation to said houslln a foldingmachine, the combination of a housing having a guide, a feeding-footguided by said guide, a presser-foot, a rockshaft for oscil ating saidhousing, and a rock-shaft having opposed connections with saidfeeding-foot and Presser-foot for reciprocating the same respectivelyduring opposite movements of said second-named rock-shaft.

8. In a folding machine, the combination of a housing provided with aguide, a feeding-foot guided by said guide, a presserfoot, a rock-shaftfor oscillating said housing, and a rock-shaft having 0 posed and spacedconnections with said and resser-foot for reciprocating the same resectively during 0 posite movements of sai second-named 'roc -shaft.

9. ln a folding machine, the combination of a housing provided with aguide, a feeding-foot guided by said guide, a pressereeding-footmovement of said contact-part.

12. lln a folding machine, the combination of a presser-foot, anoperating part for reciprocating the same, and a coiled, compressionspring between said presser-foot and last-named partwhose compression isslight in extent and which becomes longitudinally rigid when'saidcompression has taken plac and acts as a cushion-impact and movingdevice for raising said resser-foot.

13. lln a folding machine, the-combination of a feeding-hous1n means forrocking said housing, a feeding-foot guided by and moving with saidhousing, a presser-foot lever, and a rocker-part between saidfeeding-foot and presser-foot lever having operating parts thereon forsaid feeding-foot and presser-footlever for moving said feedingfoot andpresser-foot lever respectively during opposite'movements of saidrock-shaft.

14:. In a folding machine, a feeding-foot, and means for oscillatingsaid feeding-foot for causing feeding movement thereof, said meanscomprising links, rocker-arms pivoted to one of the ends of said links,one of said arms being a rocker-arm for operating said'links, the otherof the ends of said links having articulation with each other, saidlinks simultaneously constituting a compression member and a tensionmember in effecting each oscillating movement of said feeding-foot, andmeans for changing the positions of said last-named articulation ,withrelation to the axes of oscillation of said rocker-arms for changing theextent of said scillation of said feeding-foot.

15. In a folding machine of the class described, the combination offeeding means for the material operated on, a'stationary folder, afold-presser, a reciprocating knife for the material operated on, meansfor reciprocating said knife, treadle actuated means for controlling theposition of said the operation of the machine, and means for shiftingsaid stationary folder into inactive of a feeder,

of a feeder,

position.

16. In a foldingmachine, the combination and means for causing feedingmovement of said feeder comprising a pair of rockable having operativeconnection with said feeder for moving the same and the other of saidrockable arms beingan operating arm, andlinks articulated respectivelyto said arms and articulated to each other, said lastnamed articulationbeing normally substantially coincident with the rocking axisextended'of said operating rockable arm and shiftable with relation tosaid first-named articulations.

17. In a folding machine, the combination of a feeder, and means forcausing feeding movement of said feeder comprising a pair of rockablearms, one of said-ro'ckable arms having operative'connection with saidfeeder for moving the same, an eccentric for operat ing the other ofsaid arms, and links articulated respectivel to said arms andarticulated to each ot er, the 'axisof said lastnamed articulation beingnormally substantially coincident with the rocking axis extended of saidrockable arm operated by said eccentric.

18. In a folding machine, the combination of a feeder, and means forcausing feeding movement of said feeder comprising a pair of rockablearms whose rocking axes are in ofi'set relation, one of said rockablearms having operative connection with said feeder for moving the same,the other of said arms being an operating arm, and links articulatedrespectively to said arms and articulated to each other, said linkssimultaneously constituting a compression member and a tension member,said last-named articulation being shiftable toward and from the rockingaxis, .when extended, of said operating rockable arm.

19. In a folding machine, the combination of a feeder, and means forcausing feeding movement of said feeder comprising a plurality ofrocker-arms, one of said rockerarms having operative connection withsaid feeder for moving the same, the other of said rocker-arms being anoperating arm, links articulated respectively to said armsandarticulated to each other, and shifting means for said last-namedarticulation for changing the lengths of feeding movement of. saidfeeder, said operating arm and said links being substantially paralleladjacent one of the limits of movement .of said shifting means.

20. In a folding machine, the combination and means for causing movementof said feeder comprising a plurality of rock-shafts, arms thereon,links articulated respectively to said arms and articulated to eachother, one of said arms being an operarms, one of said roekable arms.taneously constituting a nae-1,910

ating arm .for said links, said links simultaneously constituting acompression member and a tension member at each of said movements ofsaid feeder, and adjustable shifting means for said last-namedarticulation.

21. In a folding machine, the combinationof a feeder, means for causinfeedin movement of said feeder comprising a p urahty of rocker arms, oneof said rocker-arms having operative connection with said feeder formoving the same, the other of said rocker-arms being an operating arm,links articulated respectively to said arms and articulated to eachother, said links simulcompression member and a tension member at eachof the feeding movements of said feeder, shiftin means for saidlast-named articulation, an a stop for said shifting means.

In a folding machine, the combination of a feeder, means forcausingfeeding movement of said feeder comprising a plurality of rocker-arms,one of said rocker-arms having operative connection with said feeder formoving the same, and the other of said rocker-arms being an operatingarm, links articulated respectively to said arms and articulated to eachother, shifting means for said last-named articulation, and means foradjusting the range of movement of said shifting means, said operatingarm and links being substantially parallel with each other adjacent oneof the limits of said range of movement of said shifting means.

23. In a folding machine, the combination of a feeder, means for causingfeeding movement of said feeder comprising a plurality of rocker-arms,one of said rocker-arms hav-' ing operative connection with said feederfor moving the same, and the other of said rocker-arms being anoperating arm, links articulated respectively to said arms andarticulated to each other, said links being simultaneously respectivelya compression member and a tension member at each feeding movement ofsaid feeder, shifting means Jated respectively to said arms andarticulated to each other, said neously respectively a compressionmember and a-tension member, and means for shifting said last-namedarticulation toward and from the rocking axis extended of said operatingrock-shaft for adjusting the feeding movement of said feeder.

25, In a folding machine the combination of a plurality of rock-shaftsin ofi'set relalinks being simulta- III tion, a feeder having operativeconnection with one of said rock-shafts, an eccentric drive for theother of said rock-shafts, arms on said rock-shafts, links articulatedrespectively to said arms and articulated with each other, said linksbeing simultaneously respective a compression member and a tension memer, means for shifting said last-namedarticulation toward and from thearticulation with that rock-shaft having said eccentric drive connectiontherewith for adjusting the feeding movement of said feeder, andadjusting means for said last-named means. 7

26. In a folding machine the combination of a rock-shaft, a feederhaving operative connection therewith, a folder, a second rockshaftofiset with relation to said first-named rock-shaft, arms on saidrock-shafts, links articulated at one of their ends to'said arms andarticulated at their other ends to each other and arranged foroscillating said feeder with predetermined fonward limits of movementwith relation to said folder, and means for shifting said last-namedarticulation toward and from the axial line of said second-namedrock-shaft whereby the feeding movement of said feeder is adjusted inextent from its point of said forward limit till - tion of a ofmovement.

27. In a folding machine, the combinafeeding-foot, a presser-foot, arock-shaft having' operative connection with said feeding-foot forrocking the same, a rock-shaft having operative connection with saidresser-foot and feeding-foot for recip- 'rocating the same, a thirdrock-shaft in 0dset relation to said first-named rock-shaft, arms onsaid first-named and third-named rock-shafts, links between said armshavin articulation with each other and the said arms, and eccentricdrives for said firstnamed and third-named rock-shafts.

28. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-device forsaid material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements ofsaid feeding-device, said means comprising an operating part, anoperated part having connection with said feeding-device, constituting apair of parts, and a air of links articulated together at one of t eirends and at the other of their ends having operative connection withsaid pair of parts, said links simultaneously constltuting acompressionmember and a tension-member during each feeding movement ofsaid feeding-device.

29. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to ,fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-device forsaid material, means for causing intermittent feeding movements of saidfeeding device, said means comprising an operating part, an operatedpart having connection with said'feeding-device, constituting a pair ofparts, and a air of links articulated together at one of ei-r ends andat the other of their ends having operative connection with said pair ofparts, said links simultaneously constltuting a compressionmember and atension-member during each feeding movement of said feeding-device, andmeans for adjusting the position of the articulating axis between saidlinks with relation to, said operating part.

30. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumental tiesarranged to fold the edge of fiexible'material, a feeding-device forsaid material, means for causing intermittent feeding movements of saidfeeding-device, said means comprising an operating part, an operatedpart having connection with said feeding-device, constituting a pair ofparts, and a pair of links articulated together at one of their ends andat the other of their ends having operative connection with said pair ofparts, said links simultaneously constituting a compressionmember and atension-member during each of said intermittent feeding movements ofsaid feeding-device, and means under the control of the operator duringthe operation of the machine for moving the articulating axis betweensaid links with relation to said operating part for controlling thelengths of steps of feed of said feeding-device.

31. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-device forsaid material, means for causing intermittent v feeding movements ofsaid feeding-device, said means comprising an operating part, anoperated part having connection with said feeding-device, constituting apair of parts, and a pair of links articulated together at one of theirendsand at the other of their ends having operative connection with saidpair of parts, said links simultaneously constituting acompression-member and a tension-member during each of said intermittentfeeding movements of said feeding-device, means under the control of theoperator during the operation of the machine for moving the articulatingaxis between said links with relation to said operating part forcontrolling the lengths of steps of feed of said feedingdevice, saidlast-named means comprising a movable feed-controlling member, andyielding means tending normally to move said movable feed-controllingmember to one limit of its ath.

32. n a foldingmachine, the combination of a goose-neck frame having anoverhanging bracket provided with an overhanglng outer end, a bearing onsaid outer end, a

feeding-head, a rock-shaft for said head IINI journaled in said bearing,a fold-presser, an

operating shaft therefor, and operative connecting means between thelatter and said fold-presser located entirely under said head andbearing.

33. In a folding machine, the combination of a folder, a fold-presser inrear thereof, a knife-support, provided with a rearward extensi-on abovesaid folder, and a knife secared to the latter and operating in front ofsaid folder and closely adjacent thereto, said foldresser, extension andknife forming a channel in which said folder is located. 34:. In afolding machine, the combination of a material support, and a knifehaving a lateral cutting edge and a bottom cutting edge at acute angleswith relation to each other, said knife being movable toward the feedingline of the material at an angle to said support.

35. In a folding machine, the combination of a material support, aknife-support pivoted below said material support in a vertical plane tothe side of the vertical plane of the line of feed, and a knife havingan inclined cutting edge at that side thereof adjacent to said line offeed and an inclined lower cutting edge, said cutting edges being atacute angles to each other for presenting a cutting corner to thematerial.

36. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-device forsaid material, means for causing intermittent feeding movements of saidfeeding-device, said means comprising an operating part, an operatedpart having connection with said feeding-device, constituting a pair ofparts, and a pair of links articulated together at one of their ends andat the other of their ends having operative connection with said pair ofparts, said links simultaneously constituting a compressionmember and atension-member during each of said intermittent feeding movements ofsaid feeding-device, means under the control of the operator during theoperation of the machine for moving the articulating axis between saidlinks with relation to said operating part for controlling the lengthsof steps of feed of said feeding-device, said last-named meanscomprising a movable feed-controlling member, yielding means tendingnormally to move said movable feed-controlling member to one limit ofits path, and an adjustable stop for adjustably limiting the extent ofmovement of said movable feed-controlling member.

37. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-foot for saidmaterial, and means foroscil ilatin said feeding-foot for causingfeeding an retracting movements thereof, said means comprising links,rocker-arms pivoted to one of the ends of said links, one of saidrockerarms arranged for operating said links, the

feeding-foot, said links being respectively a tension-member and acompression-member at each movement of said links for moving saidfeeding-foot in one direction.

38. In a folding machine, the combination with a fold-presser and aknife, of a stationary folder between said knife and fold-presser, andmeans for shifting said stationary folder into inactive position.

39. In a folding machine, the combination of a pivoted fold-presserhousing, a

pivoted foldresser, and a pivoted knifelever having coincident pivotalaxes.

40. In a folding machine, the combination of a pivoted fold-presser anda knifelever having coincident pivotal axes, operating means thereforcomprising a rocker-part having eccentric connection with saidknifelever, a knife on said knife-lever, and means for swinging saidrocker-part whereby said knife is rendered inactive.

41. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeding-foot forfeeding saidmaterial and means fOr oscillating said feeding-foot, saidmeans comprising a pair of links, a rockerarm having pivotal connectionwith one of the ends of one of said links, the corresponding end of theother of said links having pivotal connection with said feedingfoot, theother of the ends of said links having articulation with each other, thepivotal axes of said pivotal connections lying on the arc of a circlehaving the axis of said articulation as its center, and means foradjusting said axis of articulation toward and from the rocking axis ofsaid rocker-arm.

42. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeder for feedingsaid material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements ofsaid feeder comprising a pair of rockable arms, one of said rockablearms having operative connection with said feeder for moving the sameand the other of said rockable arms being an operating arm, linksarticulated respectively to said arms and articulated to each other, andmeans for shifting said last-named articulation into and out ofsubstantial coincidence with the rocking axis extended of said operatingrockable arm.

43. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeder for feedingsaid material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements ofsaid feeder comprising a pair of rockable arms, one of said rockablearms having operative connection with said feeder for manual control ofthe operator during the operation of the machine for shifting saidlast-named articulation into and out of substantial coincidence with therocking axis extended of said operating rockable arm.

44. In a folding machine the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeder for feedingsaid material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements ofsaid feeder comprising a pair of rockable arms, one of said rockablearms having operative connection with said feeder for movingthe same andthe other of said rockable arms being an operating arm, and linksarticulated respectively to said arms and to each other, said linksbeing respectively a compression-member and a tension-member during eachmovement of said feeder effected through said links.

45. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarran ed to fold the edge of flexible material, a eeder for feeding saidmaterial, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements of saidfeeder comprising a pair of rockable arms, one of said rockable armshaving operative connection with said feeder for moving the same andtheother of said rockable arms being an operating arm, and linksarticulated respectively to said arms and to each other, said linksbeing respectively a compression-member and a tension-member during eachmovement of said feeder effected through said links, and means foradjusti-ng said articulation articulating said links to each othertoward and from the rocking axis of said operating rockable arm.

46. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeder for feedingsaid material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements ofsaid feeder comprising a pair of links, a part having operativeconnection with said feeder, an operating arm, said links articulatedrespectively to said part and arm and articulated to each other, saidlast-named arm and said links being normally located side by side, andshifting means for shifting said linksinto and out of substantialparallelism with said last-named arm, said links being respectively acompression-member and a tension-member during each movement of saidfeeder eflected through said links.

47. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of'flexible material, a feeder for feedingsaid material, and means for causing intermittent feeding movements ofsaid feeder comprising a pair of links, a part having operativeconnection with said feeder, an operating arm, said links articulatedrespectively to said part and arm and articulated to each other, saidlast-named arm and said linksbeing normally located side-by-side, saidlinks being respectively a compression-member and a tension-memberduring each movement of said feeder cffected through said links,shifting means for shifting said links into and out of substantialparallelism with said last-named arm, and means for adjusting the rangeof movement of said shifting means.

48. In a folding machine, the combination of folding instrumentalitiesarranged to fold the edge of flexible material, a feeder for feedingsaid material, means for causing intermittent feeding movements of saidfeeder comprising an operating arm, a pair of substantially parallellinks located side by side, said links at one of the ends thereof beingarticulated respectively to said feeder for moving the same and to saidoperating arm, said links at the other of their ends being articulatedto each other, said links being respectively a compression-member and atension-member at each movement of said feeder efl'ected through saidlinks, and shifting means for said last-named articulation for shiftingsaid links into and out of substantial parallelism with said operatingarm.

49. A folding machine having, in combination, a frame with an outwardlyprojecting arm provided with a stationary work supporting portion, afolder for turning over the edge to be folded and means for pressingdown the edge to be folded, both said folder and said pressing meansbeing mounted on the end of said arm, and. means within said arm foractuating said pressing jecting arm provided with a stationary worksupporting portion of small cross section, a folder, fold pressing meansand snipping means all mounted on said arm adjacent to the end thereofand means located in said arm for actuating said fold pressing and saidsnipping means.

51. A folding machine having, in combination, a frame with an outwardlyprojecting arm provided with a stationary work supporting portions,means for turning over and means for pressing down the edge to befolded, both of said means being mounted on the end of the arm and meanslocated within said arm for actuating said pressing means. i

52. A folding machine having, in combination, a frame with an outwardlyprojecting arm above its'base, there being a free Ill) It'll andunobstructed space on-all sides of said 53. A folding machine, having,in combination, a frame carrying an outwardly extending arm at a point.above its base, a folder and fold pressing means mounted upon the arm,and actuating mechanism for said fold pressing means Within said arm.

54:. A folding machine, having, in combination, a frame with anoutwardly projecting arm above its base, there 'being a free andunobstructed space on all sides of said arm, folding means, foldpressing means and snipping means all mounted upon said arm and meansfor operating said fold pressing and said snipping means.

55. A folding machine having, in combination, a frame provided with anoutwardly projecting arm, a driving shaft located in the base of theframe, folding instrumentalities including a folder, a presser and aknife mounted upon said arm, actuating members connected respectivelywith said presser and knife, said members located in said arm andextending lengthwise thereof, and means for operating said members fromsaid driving shaft.

56. A folding maehine having, in combination, a frame provided with anoutwardly projecting arm, a driving shaft located in the base of theframe, folding instrumentalities including a fold-pressing member and aknife mounted upon said arm, actuating memlbers connected respectivelywith said fold-pressing member and knife, said actuating members locatedin said arm, and means for operating said actuating members from saiddriving shaft.

57. A folding machine, having, in combination, a frame provided with anoutwardly projecting arm and a goose neck arm above said outwardlyprojecting arm having a bearing head at its outer end located above theouter end of said first named arm, a driving shaft located in the baseof the frame, feeding means mounted on said head, an actuating member onsaid head therefor, folding instrumentalities including a folder, a foldpresserand a knife mounted on said outer end of said first named arm,actuating members connected respectively with said fold presser and saidknife located on said outer end of said first named arm and means foroperating said several actuating members from said driving shaft.

58. In a folding machine, the combination of means for turning over andmeans for pressing down the edge to be folded with means for feeding thematerial to be folded intermittently into position to have its marginoperated upon; said feeding means including a feeding member, arock-shaft for oscillating said feeding member to feed the material andmeans controlled by the operator for varying the length of the are ofrocking movement of said rock-shaft during the operation of the machine.

59. In a folding machine, the combination with means for turning andmeans for pressing down the edge to be folded of means for feeding thematerial; said feeding means comprising an idler roll, a feeding membercooperating with said roll, a rock-shaft for oscillating said feedingmember to feed the material, means for rocking said shaft and meanswhereby the length of the arc of the rocking movement of said shaft maybe controlled by the operator during the operation of the machine tovary the length of the feeding movement of said feeding member.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name hereto in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

Witnesses:

EMILY F. NEWHALL, CONSTANT SOUTHWORTH.

